RandBall's Week 7 fantasy football challenge

October 17, 2013 - 12:26 AM

Week 7 of the Page 2 Fantasy Football Challenge is upon us. Each week, a guest picker chooses a QB, RB and WR who he or she believes will score big in fantasy. The only players off-limits are those selected by the previous week’s guest picker. The guest — reader Bryan Osmonson of Coon Rapids, who e-mailed with a plea to play — will go head-to-head against Star Tribune writer Michael Rand, who is not allowed to pick anyone projected to score in the top 10 by NFL.com experts at their respective positions:

Bryan Osmonson’S WEEK 7 FANTASY PICKS

QB: Peyton Manning, Broncos

NFL.com fantasy projection: No. 3

Matchup: Colts

Peyton rules during homecoming week in Indianapolis and is sure to put up big numbers. He also will be fueled by a crowd that will cheer louder for him than they will for Andrew Luck on Sunday.

RB: Jamaal Charles, Chiefs

NFL.com fantasy projection: No. 2

Matchup: Texans

The most consistent running back week in and week out, Jamaal is guaranteed to please. Combined with the disappearance of Dwayne Bowe from the passing game, Jamaal is the show.

WR: Jordy Nelson, Packers

NFL.com fantasy projection: No. 4.

Matchup: Browns

An easy pick with the Packers receiving corps banged up. Combined with Cleveland’s stout run defense, the Packers need to throw all day. Picking a Packer is painful and I deserve to lose this week.

MICHAEL RAND’s WEEK 7 FANTASY PICKS

QB: Colin Kaepernick, 49ers

NFL.com fantasy projection: No. 15

Matchup: Titans

His numbers have been pedestrian since a monster game in Week 1, but I’m playing a hunch here that Kaepernick breaks out against the Titans and racks up a bunch of points.

RB: Adrian Peterson, Vikings

NFL.com fantasy projection: No. 22

Matchup: Giants

That is not a misprint. Peterson is projected to score the 22nd-most fantasy points of all running backs this week. I don’t make the rules, I just follow them. (OK, I actually make the rules, too.)

WR: Victor Cruz, Giants

NFL.com fantasy projection: No. 13

Matchup: Vikings

No offense to the Vikings’ defensive backs, but, um, this feels like stealing points. Teams have passed on Minnesota all season — including 13 TDs through the air in just five games.